I was underwhelmed. I'm being extremely diplomatic.
I'm going out on a limb here. I don't think Mr. Yamamoto brings anything to the table for Bay Area viewers but I guess KPIX thinks otherwise. Being that maybe PIX hired him for reasons other than talent and command, maybe they see something that I don't see. Maybe talent is the least of why Ryan is here. Maybe PIX had other things in mind and I'm just asleep at the wheel.
Whatever.
The Whac-a-mole anchor policy is in full force at albatross KCBS, a once formidable all-news radio outlet that is diving deeper and deeper into the abyss.
It was told to me their parent company, Audacy, doesn't want to hire a full-time morning anchor so they can save some money. So the revolving door of anchors broadcasting the AM news, continues at the crapfest 740 AM (and 106.9 FM)--Dan Mitchinson was back the past few days anchoring with dull and dreary, Holly Quan. Earlier in the week, it was awful, out of space, Eric Thomas, taking honors. Before Thomas, Matt Bigler auditioning too. Welcome to Whac-a-mole central and it's not just news.
Audacy has implemented the same cheapscate policy with its SF sports anchors so we are allowed to hear oatmeal-voiced simpleton, Joe Hughes and fellow drab and boring, Ted Ramey. It's about as exciting and awsome at KCBS as eating generic rice cakes. What a bonanza.
*Phil Matier sent me an e-mail, (unsolicited) giving props to Lisa White, the interim ND at KPIX:
" I have worked with Lisa White on and off for more than 25 years - both at KRON and KPIX. I always found her to be professional, level headed and supportive of the staff. At times all managers have to be forceful and even deliver bad news. It's not easy and it can be upsetting, but it comes with the job. A few months back when a KPIX news team was attacked and robbed in San Francisco, White didn't sit in her office fret- she was out the door and within minutes on the scene to offer her support.."
*IT'S NOT ME going back and forth on KTVU's replacement for Frank Somerville--they still haven't formally made a decision on Andre Senior or Mike Mibach--they have literally gone back and forth on who gets the gig. I'm not a huge fan of either one but right now, it's Mibach's job to lose.
Ryan needs to ditch the glasses.
ReplyDeleteOr he needs to pull them up. I like him. He just needs to relax a bit
DeleteDo you think tv local news is going away as young people do not watch it at all, or even know what it is?? It seems so out of date and I do not think it will survive in the future. Your opinion helps as I have a class assignment on mass media and I am doing research..
ReplyDeleteIt's an antiquated model that seems to only exists as there remains a great sense of competition between the local stations .. Ultimately, it's about personality and looks, not journalistic ability or integrity. There are simply too many other avenues now for one to obtain local news and happenings. The glory days are long gone, I'm afraid.
DeleteI agree 100% with JT @12:07. It is all about personality, looks, and checking the ethnic box nowadays. Gone are the days of journalistic ability or integrity. The majority of it is standing on a soapbox shouting "look at us, look at us!", "we're woke!". See: Building a Better Bay Area. On a side note, if Heather Holmes had larger cans she would have gotten lead anchor or went national a long time ago.
Delete"Do you think tv local news is going away as young people do not watch it at all."
DeleteYoung people have never watched (or read) the news. I remember this complaint when I was young. My parents remembered it when they were young, and broadcast news was delivered via radio.
All the gripes we hear about "young people today" have been around since Ancient Greece.
I don't think it's as much about "young people" as it is about a changing world. My parents would watch the news on tv because the tv, radio and newspapers were essentially the only sources of news (and not propaganda). It's a much different world now with people getting news instantly whenever and wherever they want on their phones. No one needs to go sit down and spend an hour catching up on the day's news anymore.
DeleteBut while antiquated it may be, I'm glad local tv news is still around. If we were only left with invisible internet "news" sources, we'd be in even worse shape than we are.
"It's a much different world now with people getting news instantly whenever and wherever they want on their phones."
DeleteThey don't, though. They get "news" from their chosen blogs and social media sites that tailor views to their pre-dispositions. Then they *think* they're informed.
*That's* the big difference today. Not the medium, but the message. We cheered when "gate keepers" were eliminated without wondering who would replace them.
Ryan is so boring. He has no presence on camera and certainly not an anchor TV voice. I can't believe KPIX hired him. I know that isn't the best out there.
ReplyDeleteI'm not surprised. I don't mean this as disrespect or a knock on Ryan Yamamoto but some professions hiring practices (especially in the Bay Area) nowadays seems to be more based on ethnicity or gender, not skill or merit.
Delete"hiring practices (especially in the Bay Area) nowadays seems to be more based on ethnicity or gender, not skill or merit."
DeleteNailed it precisely.
It's more than just in news, though. Trying to publish a book, if you're not ethnic, forget it. Trying to shop a TV show and movie concept. Same. Don't even try to get a government contract, no matter what field you're in, if you don't have lots of melanin.
I'm not sure who one of the fill-ins on KCBS maybe "Lisa" OMG she just can't do the job.
ReplyDeleteAbout 40 years ago, a young Chicago street reporter was tapped to fill a newly-vacant seat at the anchor desk of the top rated station. This was guy who covered neighborhood parades and simple stuff. He's still in the anchor chair today and the ratings remain the highest in town. Give the kid a chance. I remember you were critical of Cook and now you view has changed.
ReplyDeletePersonally, I still think Cook is a bit of a airhead and lightweight and it seems to have gotten worse sense Bastida left.
DeleteEuropa
I think KPIX hired Ryan Yamamoto, for three main reasons; 1) he was cheap. Excuse me for being blunt but I don’t think news stations have a lot of money to throw around anymore – whether it’s a large market or not. TV is no longer the primary place people get their news and therefore advertisers aren’t offering a lot of revenue. And, here in the Bay Area with the cost of living being what it is I would assume a lot of potential anchors demand a certain amount of salary in order to cover that cost. No one wants 60-70% of salary going towards a lease or mortgage. If you can find a “suitable” guy at a cheaper price, you grab him. Since Yamamoto has roots here, I’m going to assume he probably has some sort of real estate connection here as well – will inherit his family home or something similar – that can, or will, offset the cost of living. Or perhaps his spouse is making enough money to make up the difference (who knows?). 2) Your average blond, blue-eyed, white guy doesn’t cut it anymore. You want to demonstrate to the world that your station is “woke” and your station has diversity. They will probably never admit it but, I’m pretty sure they were determined to get some sort of “person of color” in that spot. He ticked that box. And finally, 3) he’s “safe.” No one needs any sort of scandal right now (Frank Somerville I’m looking at you). I don’t know it for sure but I’d be willing to bet this week’s paycheck that this guy’s life has been pretty bland and boring up until now. Not that there’s anything wrong with that – I’m just saying. Unfortunately the one thing KPIX didn’t seem to look for is someone with real presence. I totally agree with your assessment of him.
DeleteEuropa
His wife is also a reporter and was at the same Seattle station he was. Suzanne Phan is her name.
Delete"Personally, I still think Cook is a bit of a airhead and lightweight and it seems to have gotten worse sense Bastida left."
DeleteWhat, he was the cerebral heavyweight who gave her gravitas??? :-D :-D :-D
At "AnonymousJanuary 14, 2022 at 6:53 PM"
DeleteHaaaaaa! I stand corrected. :D
Euroap
I prefer Senior and have a feeling he's getting the KTVU weeknight job. Of course, that could be wishful thinking. I also noticed the last few times I've watched the 10 O'clock News, they haven't mentioned Frank at the start of the newscast.
ReplyDeleteAgree that that there's nothing exceptional about Ryan, and there's something about his slightly-scratchy voice that's unpleasant to listen to. He's competent, but other than his mother, nobody is going to make it a point to watch KPIX because he's anchoring.
Yamamoto was a weekend sports anchor in Sacramento when I lived there; seemed like a nice guy but not very much of a presence on-air. Maybe he grows into the job, but I wouldn't hold my breath. Allen Martin and Brian Hackney look like Walter Cronkite next to Ryan. They really should've given the 5/7/11 anchor desk to Hackney and Juliette Goodrich, and started Ryan as a reporter and weekend anchor. There is not one outstanding anchor on any of the over-the-air network affiliates anymore. Raj and McSweeney on NBC aren't bad, but, seriously SF local news is beginning to look an awful lot like Kansas City or Des Moines anymore.
ReplyDeleteIt would be nice to have someone delivering the news who is old enough, or at least cares enough, to know how to pronounce "Sirhan Sirhan" instead of making it sound like "Saran Saran".
ReplyDeleteI always watched KPIX as a kid, and still do so today. Obviously the heyday for 5 were the Dave McElhatton/Wendy Tokuda/Doug Murphy/Kate Kelly years. They haven't had much since. I didn't mean to criticize Allen Murphy or Brian Hackney above; they do get the job done, as does Elizabeth Cook. Nothing special but perfectly serviceable anchors. What happens to Liz when Sara Donchey arrives?
ReplyDeleteAllen Martin, sorry
ReplyDeleteI must be bored today. I am enjoying your GIF with the frisky Kitten trying to touch each and every finger tip. Maybe that's how most PD see the average viewer; delightfully stupid and distractable.
ReplyDeleteDid he intern at one time at KPIX, while at SFSU??
ReplyDeleteIt may sound crazy, but cloning Yamamoto and Starrantino into a SINGLE NEWSBOT just might work! Hella cheaper, too. Not only could "Ryam" read the story, he/she/it would BE the story!
ReplyDeleteI would much rather see Senior get the KTVU gig over Mibach.
ReplyDeleteWhaddabout Kenny Choi...he was demoted from anchor and then put out on the streets
ReplyDeleteKenny Escaped to the field to get out before Griego got him fired.
DeleteI never thought I’d say this, but… bring back Allen Martin
ReplyDeleteHave to say...Kenny Choi has blossomed as a street reporter...Don't know where he got some presence, but he's good...JF
ReplyDeleteKenny Choi is much more comfortable and authoritative on the anchor desk than Ryan Yamamoto, at least from what I've seen so far. Why not promote from within? Doesn't make much sense to me.
ReplyDeleteKenny Choi needs to be brought back as an anchor. Why was the demoted?? Ryan Y IS underwhelming. I applaud the station for hiring an Asian American male anchor. Since we're in the SF Bay area, we really need Asian American male anchors! We are not LA but some of the anchors/reporters in the SF Bay area need to step it up a bit in terms of appearance/on air clothing,
ReplyDeleteI’ve made the same suggestion to Scott Warren. Yamamoto is at best a mid-day or weekend anchor. Seemingly a nice guy but he has Sacramento or Fresno written all over him. Kenny Choi is excellent
ReplyDelete